A professional headshot gets used when it looks like you on a good day: sharp eyes, soft even light, a background that stays out of the way, and an expression people trust. With a studio photographer in New York, that often takes about 30 minutes. Photographers on Book Holiday Photos list their headshot sessions with the number of looks, retouched images and file sizes, so you can compare before you book. Here is what makes a headshot work, and how to plan one that ends up on your profile rather than in a forgotten folder.
What a good headshot actually needs
Most disappointing headshots fail for small, fixable reasons. The checklist to work from:
- Eyes in focus, with a little light in them. That small reflection, the catchlight, makes a face look awake.
- Soft, flattering light. No hard shadow under the nose, no shine on the forehead, no squinting.
- A quiet background. Clean grey, white or a darker tone. Nothing growing out of your head.
- A crop with room. Enough space around you that the photo survives being cut into a circle for LinkedIn, a square for a speaker page, or a wider banner.
- An expression, not a pose. Somewhere between a smile and a thought. A good photographer coaches it rather than demands it.
- It looks like you now. Current hair, current glasses, retouching that cleans up without changing you. When someone meets you after seeing your headshot, there should be no surprise.
Why a studio for headshots
Plenty of headshots are made outdoors, and in New York that can look great. A studio has its own advantages for a photo that has to do a job:
- Consistent light that does not depend on clouds, time of day or season.
- Backdrops you can choose and repeat later, which matters for teams and for updating your photo in a year.
- No crowds, which makes most people more relaxed in front of the camera.
- Quick changes. Swap a jacket, a top or glasses in a minute, so three looks fit into half an hour.
Backdrop and wardrobe
Choosing a backdrop
Most headshot studios use neutral or dark backdrops with studio light.
- Light grey or white reads as friendly, open and modern. It suits LinkedIn, tech, healthcare, education and most company pages.
- Dark grey or black feels more editorial and serious. It suits speakers, authors, consultants and creative work.
If a session includes several looks, you can do both in one visit. If your company already has headshots on a particular backdrop, bring an example and ask the photographer to match it. More on choosing in which headshot backdrop to choose.
What to wear
- Solid colors in mid to deep tones: navy, charcoal, burgundy, forest, soft blue. They keep attention on your face.
- Necklines that frame your face: open collars, V-necks, a structured jacket. Avoid anything that rides up or gapes when you sit.
- No big logos, tiny stripes or busy prints, which distract or shimmer on screen.
- Bring options. With several looks you can bring a jacket, a shirt or blouse, and something a little more relaxed, then choose with the photographer.
- Glasses: if you wear them daily, wear them in at least one look.
Our full guide on what to wear for headshots covers makeup, grooming and colors by skin tone.
Retouching: honest, not reshaped
Every headshot should be retouched to look like you on a good day:
- Skin cleaned up: blemishes, redness, shine.
- Stray hairs tidied.
- Color and light balanced.
- No reshaping of faces or bodies, no changing who you are.
Permanent features, like a scar or a freckle, should stay unless you ask. If there is something specific you want treated, say so during the session.
What to check before you book
Headshot sessions differ by photographer, so read the profile for:
- Session length. Around 30 minutes is common for a single person.
- Number of looks. A look is a combination of outfit and backdrop.
- Retouched images included, and whether you get a proofs gallery of everything shot.
- File sizes: web and print, so the same image works on LinkedIn, your website, an email signature or a printed program.
- Commercial use. Confirm your company can use the headshots on its website, in proposals and in press materials.
- Delivery time and price. Headshot sessions in NYC often run from about $150 to $500 depending on the photographer, and the profile shows the real figure.
Your card is held when you book and charged only once the photographer accepts, usually within 48 hours.
How to make sure you use it
A headshot only earns its fee if it goes up. A few things that help:
- Know where it is going. Tell the photographer when you book: LinkedIn, a company page, a speaker bio, a book jacket. They can vary the crops accordingly.
- Ask for one tight and one loose crop. Profile photos are tight. Websites and press often need more room.
- Update everything the same week. LinkedIn, email signature, website, company directory. One consistent face across all of them looks professional.
- Plan to refresh it. If your hair, glasses or job changes, a new headshot is due. Coming back to the same backdrop keeps it consistent.
If you need headshots for a whole team, read team headshots in NYC. For LinkedIn specifically, see LinkedIn headshots in NYC.
Quick answers
How much do professional headshots cost in NYC?
It varies by photographer and by what is included. As a guide, a single-person session often runs from about $150 to $500. Each photographer's profile shows the exact price, number of looks and files you get.
How long does a headshot session take?
Often about 30 minutes in the studio. You can see how that time is spent in what happens during a headshot session.
When do I get my headshots?
Delivery time varies by photographer. Check the profile, and ask if you need them by a deadline.
Find your photographer
Pick a date and a time that fits around work, then browse headshot photographers in New York City and Long Island and tell them what the headshots are for. Or read how to book a professional photo session first.